Incheon Airport in South Korea has emerged as the busiest airport globally for international passengers, handling 38.39 million travelers in the first half of 2026. This surge is partly attributed to disruptions in the Middle East due to the Iran war, which has redirected traffic from traditional hubs like Dubai to Incheon. The airport's passenger traffic increased by 6.3% year-on-year, with a notable rise in foreign visitors, particularly from China and Japan.
Heathrow Airport in the UK ranked second with 37.79 million passengers, while Singapore's Changi Airport followed with 34.53 million. Incheon has seen a significant expansion in its role as an international hub, serving 101 airlines and increasing its capacity to 106 million passengers annually after a recent expansion. The shift in passenger traffic highlights the impact of geopolitical events on global travel patterns.